OKC Thunder (5-2, 1-1 road) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (5-3, 3-0 home)

I can’t decide who this game is more important for, big picture. The Thunder have to win once in Memphis, so it has to either come today, in Game 4 or in Game 6. But going down 2-1 and relinquishing momentum and confidence back to the Grizzlies would be bad.

Still though, I think the pressure is on the Grizzlies here. To win this series, they really need to protect their home court. They could lose Game 4, but a win today guarantees a 2-2 split coming back to OKC and a Game 6 at the FedEx Forum.

Basically what I’m saying though, is this game is really stinking big, both ways.

The question is: Can the Thunder play like they did in Game 2 again? Can they shoot well again? Will the bench contribute? Will the interior defense dominate? That’s the focus here.

The adjustment Scott Brooks and his coaching staff made for the Grizzlies in Game 2 was almost jarring. The Grizzlies went from dominant inside force to perimeter oriented. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph went from combining for 54 points to compiling just 28 together. Nothing came easy for the duo as Gasol went 3-9 and Randolph 2-13, including 0-5 in the second half.

The Thunder were a dominant team after the Kendrick Perkins trade because of their interior defense. That was missing in Game 1 as the Grizzlies dominated the flow, feel and pace of the game. It’s all about that battle again in Game 3.

With three days off to think, watch film, think, practice and think some more, it’s in the Grizzlies’ hands to figure it out. How does Lionel Hollins adjust to find space for Randolph and Gasol? The high pick-and-roll was snuffed out in Game 2 by the Thunder and OKC’s defenders gave Randolph no space. The obvious adjustment is more minutes for O.J. Mayo as he’s one of the few players that can space the floor. The Grizzlies were last in 3-point attempts and makes this season. The Thunder dared them to take and make them in Game 2. Memphis didn’t respond.

Either the Grizzlies change their game and look for more outside, or they just try and power through the Thunder’s interior adjustment. That’s basically where we’re at right now. These teams have had three days off to think about it all. Lots of time to adjustm adapt and work. Let’s see what they come up with.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were good in Game 2, but not great. Again, the Thunder’s role guys stepped up. This one is going to come down to which duo outperfoms the other I think. Is it Gasol and Randolph or Durant and Westbrook? The Thunder see a big opportunity to ride some momentum and take control of this series here. But the Grizzlies have been terrific at home. Something’s got to give here. And that’s why this is going to be one terrific game.

I think about 15 different things every 20 seconds. One minute, I’m really confident. The next, I’m really not. Winning on the road isn’t easy, but OKC has showed it can do it. The first six minutes will really set a ton. It’s an odd start time and the Thunder are on the road. Energy, effort and focus are the things to watch. If OKC is totally there, I think the Thunder take care of business today. Don’t ask me again in 20 seconds though.

Second, our starters did well at the beginning, at the end of the first half, and at the beginning of the third. While surprising, that was a nice development. However, defense and refereeing changes in the last 5 minutes. I guess Brooks saw this positive effect of the starting lineup at the beginning of the game, which led him to put them in at the end, but it didn't work out

JJJ :@Cpt. C-noteIt’s just frustrating cuz the same late game execution BS happened in Game 2. We were able to pull it out though. You play Russian roulette too many times, you’re bound to pay the price.

Not just Game 2. ALL SEASON LONG. We've had big leads and we've made things WAY too interesting down the stretch in a number of games.

You'd think this would have been addressed and corrected, but truthfully I don't think Scott Brooks has a clue what to do about it.

I think more than anything we need an offseason and training camp to revamp our offense. We made a huge midseason trade and just rebuilt rotations on the fly. They've gotten us to this point, but they won't be good enough as is to get us much farther. Even if we do make it past the Grizz, we still are a work in progress.

The case study is game five against Denver. Harden in the game forced Denver to pay attention to him and gave Durant space to operate. When Durant did catch the ball in this game, Allen was all over him and help was waiting. Against Denver, the help came much later and Harden even knocked down a big three to boot.

Memphis didn't do their damage with post scoring in this game or the last one. Dirk Nowitzki isn't a post scorer, but the Mavericks have shooters around him to get him single coverage and they can knock shots down when he is doubled. By taking Harden out of the game, there's just nothing the Thunder could do...

@JJJI totally agree. I just think we'll adjust and adapt. I still think Russ is figuring it out, especially when his offensive options are so limited. I expect Coach Mo to earn his money in the next 48 hours.

Cpt. C-note :At least we have 8+ mins of late-game, bad offensive film to study.I feel like I just got kicked in the beanbag with porcupine, but I believe in our team.I believe that we will adjust and find a way to succeed.The Grizz are a good team, no doubt… but we’re still better. We just have to play that way for 48.TTFU!GO THUNDER! +1The bandwagon is betting a bit crowded, me thinks. All are welcome, but the negativity…sheesh.“I find your lack of faith…disturbing”

It still doesn't change my mind, but thabo did have a +12 going, while harden had a -20. so if someone wants to play devil's advocate, those numbers help the arguement.

I've been watching basketball a long time and I can't ever recall worse offense to close a game. especially considering that the team has two of the best scorers in the game. just a mind boggling collapse. It's even like they were missing good looks. they could barely get a shot off.

justin :@Daniel HawaiiThe starting unit came in with 4:30 left in the game and the Thunder scored two points after that.

Right. So I don't understand your argument that 'Westbrook and Durant are good enough to run a successful late game offense if the right personnel are in the game.' What is this personnel you're referring to?

Harden? Even if Harden had been in there, it would've been the same. Russell would still dribble out the shot clock and force up a bad shot. Or he'd pass it to Durant with under 5 on the shot clock and KD would have to throw up a God shot.

All I'm saying is that I believe we're still missing one big piece: a post scorer that can get us an easy bucket when the jump shots aren't falling.

I just don't think it's a coincidence that each of the teams currently in the playoffs have one. Also, every NBA Champion I can remember has had one.

And OKC Baby, I am fully aware that we can't acquire one right now, but this should probably be offsesaon priority number 1 (aside from extending Russ), since it is the one glaring weakness still left on our team.

At least we have 8+ mins of late-game, bad offensive film to study.I feel like I just got kicked in the beanbag with porcupine, but I believe in our team.I believe that we will adjust and find a way to succeed.The Grizz are a good team, no doubt... but we're still better. We just have to play that way for 48.TTFU!GO THUNDER!The bandwagon is betting a bit crowded, me thinks. All are welcome, but the negativity...sheesh."I find your lack of faith...disturbing"

I know I'm just pretty much repeating what over half of everyone else is on here, but Harden getting pulled was a bad move. Yes, Thabo is a better defender than Harden, but if you take how much better Thabo is on defense and multiply it by about 50, that is how much better Harden is on offense. In other words, the drop off on defensive talent is not that big, but the drop off on offense when Harden is not in the game is HUGE. Harden brings a whole other threat to our game, without him on the offensive end, the whole world knows what our offensive game play is...the Westbrook and Durant show. Now I'm not blaming this whole game on Brooks because quite frankly that is just not fair, your players have got to make plays and get the ball in the basket, but pulling Harden had a significant effect on the outcome of the most disappointing game since the Thunder have been in Oklahoma City.

harden has earned the right to close games. he's hit a lot of big shots. the guy has played so well since the break it's really shame they take him out with four minutes left in the biggest game of the season. you put your play makers on the floor to close the game and you live with the consequences.

We scored two pts when the starters came in. We had four possesions in over 3 minutes from 7:30 to 4:30. Got dominated on the boards. I understand putting Perk in because we were getting destroyed on the boards, but taking Harden out was a big blow.

Excuse me, did YOU just tell someone “don’t you have something better to do”????Your entire life revolves around this website. You are glued to this website from the moment you wake up till the moment you go to sleep.You are the definition of an internet troll. When you say “don’t you have something better to do” you’re projecting.It doesn’t get any more pathetic than you.

Giving Durant shit is harsh. He's played one bad game now. It of the entire playoffs. You have no idea why he had a bad game but it's not like he went out there and didnt care. What's concerning are the things that keep popping up. Like late game offense and Russ losing his shit.

But this isn't a team that rolls over and dies. This is a team that comes back angry.

okc baby :Yea we can still win. Just got to stay focused. We changed what was working which was a big mistake. But easy fix

It’s NOT an easy fix. End of game offense has been a problem all season long and still hasn’t been fixed.I also still think we badly need a POST SCORER. Someone to get us an easy bucket when the jumpers aren’t falling (i.e. today’s 4th quarter).Every other team left in the playoffs has at least one player who can score in the post: Bulls-Boozer, Heat-Bosh/Wade, Celtics-Garnett/Pierce, Hawks-Horford, Lakers-Bynum/Gasol, Mavs-Dirk, Grizzlies-Randolph/Gasol.I feel like we are still missing that one piece to truly be considered a championship contender.

Its kinda to late to talk about personel changes. We can win with what we have.

I don't think we need a post scorer we need shooters in the game. Post scoring is just one way of getting good offense. Westbrook and Durant are good enough to run a successful late game offense if the right personnel are in the game and the team at last runs some sets.

The odds of us getting past Dallas are low, but if we lose this series, Brooks' stupid lineups and offense are going to cost us valuable experience. Even a 20 percent chance of making the NBA finals is so valuable you can't even put a price on it, but it's all down the toilet, because all Brooks can do is tell one of the forwards to set a screen and then shrug when it doesn't work.

thabo just isn't that much of better defender than harden to justify putting him in to close the game. mayo made a couple threes with harden in. so what? how many open looks has thabo given up this year helping on d? a lot. it's just a silly decision. this feels a lot like the jeff green/ibaka situation. presti needs to send thabo packing. if/when that happens, I feeling james harden is going to break out like serge has done this year (post trade).

okc baby :Yea we can still win. Just got to stay focused. We changed what was working which was a big mistake. But easy fix

It's NOT an easy fix. End of game offense has been a problem all season long and still hasn't been fixed.

I also still think we badly need a POST SCORER. Someone to get us an easy bucket when the jumpers aren't falling (i.e. today's 4th quarter).

Every other team left in the playoffs has at least one player who can score in the post: Bulls-Boozer, Heat-Bosh/Wade, Celtics-Garnett/Pierce, Hawks-Horford, Lakers-Bynum/Gasol, Mavs-Dirk, Grizzlies-Randolph/Gasol.

I feel like we are still missing that one piece to truly be considered a championship contender.

Well yeah, next game will definitely show what the team is made of. They can beat the Grizzlies on the road if they aren't encumbered by poor coaching decisions and poor attitudes by their star players.

Durant was disappointing also with his demeanor late in this game, especially on defense.

Okay I'm at work and I missed most of this game. The last I saw on TV the Thunder were up 16 points and from that part, I thought it was over. When a team trails by 10 or more going into the 4th quarter, it's practically a 93% that team will lose. But when you're playing the Thunder, it seems ANYTHING is possible, and once again reality was defied as Memphis put the fear of God into all OKC players and they could not hit a shot even if the Grizz agreed to play statue defense. I blame Brooks, I blame Westbrook, but this just shows one very obvious FACT: The Grizzlies are just better than OKC. We're at full strength, they're without their leading scorer, and handling us easily. If we lose Game 4, IT'S OVER. DONE.

Thunder S :i dont think anyone is arguing that its completely on coaching or completely on westbrook. the point w/ those arguing its coaching is that they are in a position to fix the problems, whereas u guys havent specified what you would rather have westbrook do on plays where kd cant get open.